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Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Who’s in and who’s out…?

Another transfer window has closed and this time it comes with a big sigh of relief after the madness Liverpool endured this January.

The new owners not only brought in manager Kenny Dalglish, but also an impressive couple of signings sure to make their positive mark on the pitch in a Red shirt. This has clearly sent a message to the fans that the owners mean serious business and plan to rectify the mess left behind by the previous duo.

Late last week, the Reds gained Ajax captain Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan international striker was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2010. The transfer fee was at a reported £22.3 million. Suarez received the legendary number 7 shirt, once worn by King Kenny himself. Suarez has already expressed to the club and fans that he is eager to play football with the Reds and give something special to the fans by becoming a “champion.”

Andy Carroll was a surprise grab in the last few hours of the transfer window. The English striker was bought from Newcastle at a reported record breaking transfer fee of approximately £35 million, after turning in his transfer request to his former club. Carroll will be taking over the number 9 shirt.
The Liverpool Reserves also gained a promising young star in the form of 17 year-old Conor Thomas, who is on loan from Conventry City but looking for a more permanent move. Thomas has represented England in the U17’s and has already made his FA Cup debut when his side played against Birmingham this past weekend.

When it comes to ‘who’s out,’ Liverpool made quite a few changes. The biggest of them all was the loss of Spanish striker Fernando Torres to Chelsea for a record fee of £50 million. The former number 9 put in his transfer request last Friday, only to have it denied. However, the club agreed to let the player talk with the London-based club if the fee was right. Chelsea met the terms late in the transfer window, turning Torres from a Red to a Blue in the last few hours.

Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky also left the club on the last day on an ‘emergency loan’ to Nottingham Forest. He will start as early as tonight for the Championship side.

Last week, Liverpool also sold Ryan Babel to German club Hoffenheim. The Dutch forward was said to have gone for a mere £6 million after signing a two and a half year deal with the club.

Although Liverpool may have lost the likes of Fernando Torres, there is no doubt amongst fans that the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll will boost the club back in a top fighting position.

The newly adjusted and improved team will play their first Premier League match after the transfer window tomorrow night against Stoke City at Anfield.